WordGarden.iochronic
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈɒnɪk/
US
- /ˈkrɑnɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
lasting a long time or repeatedly returning, especially of an illness
continuing for a long time or happening again and again
very bad or poor in quality
Noun
(slang)cannabis, especially strong marijuana
Beyond the definition
When something is chronic, it sticks around—and not in a good way! Think of a chronic cough that just won't go away, or a chronic problem with traffic on your commute. It's more than just a temporary issue; it's ongoing and often difficult to get rid of. While you might have a chronic fondness for chocolate (meaning a long-lasting one), the word usually describes something unpleasant that persists over time.
The word traces back to the Greek khronikos (“of time”), from khronos (“time”). So, chronic things are related to time—specifically, a long duration. A doctor might diagnose someone with a chronic illness like arthritis, meaning it's a condition they'll likely live with for a long time. It can also describe habits: a chronic procrastinator always puts things off until the last minute!
The word "chronic" describes something that is persistent, recurring, or lasting for a long period—often implying it's difficult to cure or eliminate. While we often associate it with medical conditions, its meaning extends beyond health.
In healthcare, chronic refers to illnesses or conditions that last a long time—often three months or more—and may require ongoing management. A chronic condition might begin gradually or start suddenly and then persist. Examples include chronic pain, asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. These usually aren't things you "catch" like a cold; they’re longer-term issues that tend to involve long-term treatment or monitoring. "She lives with a chronic condition that requires regular medication."
However, "chronic" isn't limited to medicine. It can also describe persistent habits or behaviors. A chronic complainer is someone who constantly finds fault, and a chronic liar consistently tells untruths. "His chronic lateness was starting to annoy his coworkers."
Figuratively, it can even be used to emphasize the intensity of something that happens frequently. "The city faced chronic water shortages during the summer months." This suggests the problem isn't just occasional but is a recurring and deeply ingrained issue.
So, whether describing an illness, a habit, or a systemic problem, "chronic" signals something that is not fleeting—it's enduring, ongoing, and often challenging to resolve. It speaks to a condition or pattern that has become firmly established over time.
Examples
- 1
Long-term pain
She lives with chronic back pain.
- 2
Medical conditions
The clinic provides support for people with chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes.
- 3
Business problem
The company has had chronic cash-flow problems for years.
- 4
Staffing shortage
Years of underinvestment have led to a chronic shortage of nurses.
- Phrasea chronic shortage
a shortage that continues for a long time
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Complaining habit
He's a chronic complainer, so people don't always take his criticism seriously.
- Phrasea chronic complainer
someone who complains all the time
See also
Similar
- persistent
- long-term
- ongoing
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- chronic illness
- chronic pain
- chronic condition
- chronic problem
Word family
Explore
- chronic disease
- duration
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- chronicnounadjective
Forms
- chronicspluralnounadjective